Step 3. Approval

ETD Formatting Advisor:

The Formatting Advisor's role is to accept your thesis or dissertation (ETD) on behalf
of The Graduate School and make sure yourdocument conforms to the standard formatting
or manuscript option to uphold a look of professionalism and a level of consistency
amonng ETDs submitted to MSU. The formatting advisor does not provide technical or
editing support and will not format your ETD for you. It is the student’s responsibility
to create a professional document that conforms to the Graduate School’s formatting
guidelines. We encourage students to start this process early and read the formatting guidelines
before the semester of graduation. Please email the formatting advisor at any time with questions.

When you are ready to submit your ETD to The Graduate School for an initial formatting
review or for final approval, please send your document to gradformatting@montana.edu. You will be notified of any changes necessary for your document to be approved. Please review the formatting guides before submitting a draft.

Formatting Guides

The Graduate School has formatting standards in place which all ETDs must meet before
they receive final approval as a fulfillment of graduation requirements. Please familiarize
yourself with the formatting guidelines.

Word Processing or Document Preparation Software:

Most students use Microsoft Word or LaTeX for ETD preparation, but students may use
any program with which they feel comfortable. The Graduate School does not provide
technical support for document preparation. It is your responsibility to understand
the program you choose for editing your document.

Microsoft Word

LaTeX

The Graduate School links to a LaTeX template provided by Mechanical Engineering Professor
Mark Owkes. The Graduate School does not provide technical support for LaTeX and all
ETDs formatted in LaTeX must comply with all formatting guidelines. Students using
LaTeX templates from this website are responsible for ensuring that the resulting
document conforms to all formatting guidelines regardless of the current template
configurations.

Typist Editor List

The Formatting Advisor maintains a list of typists/editors as a resource for students.
The individuals listed are independent contractors and are not employed by The Graduate
School. Students may contact individuals listed below for help with formatting or
editing a document. The Graduate School does not guarantee the availability or credentials
of the individuals on this list. Fees, credentials and any other necessary information
are solely the responsibility of the student hiring the typist/editor. The Graduate
School supplies this list as a courtesy: